The cataclysmic drop in Tory support wasn’t quite as deep in the Uxbridge by-election. Anger about London’s Labour mayor Sadiq Khan’s expansion of the Ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) – charging drivers of mainly older cars £12.50 a day – cost Labour the seat.
In the July-August edition of Socialism Today, Socialist Party member James Ivens says:
“The full truth of Ulez’s usefulness is uncertain. What is certain is it tries to make the working class pay for the pollution crisis.
“It is not the fault of workers driving in London that big car and energy firms have put them in a polluting framework. Instead of charging workers Ulez fees, give them more help to use less polluting options.
“You can tax and fine as much as you like, but without other options workers will still have to drive. Big areas are poorly served by public transport, especially at unsocial hours, and these tend to be where many workers can afford to live. The fact that Khan is expanding Ulez at the same time as attacking public transport gives the lie to his claims about wanting to tackle pollution and traffic.
“The funding deal he accepted from central government includes reducing London bus provision by 4%. He is also coming after jobs and pensions on the tube.
“The mayor of London has a bigger platform than most cabinet ministers, and could mobilise an unstoppable fightback in the capital, instead of a euphemism for another tax on workers.”
